Final answer:
The Plessy v. Ferguson case established the doctrine of "separate but equal," legalizing segregation and having significant repercussions for civil rights in the US.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Plessy v. Ferguson case was incredibly important because it established the legal doctrine of "separate but equal." This meant that racial segregation was allowed as long as the facilities and services provided to each race were equal. The Supreme Court's decision in this case essentially legalized segregation and had far-reaching consequences for civil rights in the United States. It wasn't until the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case in 1954 that the "separate but equal" doctrine was overturned.
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